Badakhshan: Preserving endangered languages in Badakhshan Afghanistan

Due to ongoing conflict and instability, Pamir languages spoken in Afghanistan including Rushani, Wakhi, Ishkashimi, and Sangilechi, have not been well studied, and most still lack a written script. In 2017, UNESCO reported that they are now considered to be severely endangered.
UCA’s Cultural Heritage and Humanities Unit (CHHU) launched a project in 2019 on the preservation and documentation of Endangered Languages in Badakhshan Afghanistan, to document and disseminate these ancient languages before they are lost forever. This included developing a dictionary database to be converted into online/offline web and phone applications, as well as creating tourism pamphlets and master classes to help promote local tourism in Afghan Badakhshan.
The project was conducted in partnership with the Pamirs Eco-Cultural Tourism Association (PECTA), Institute of Humanities of Khorog (IH) and the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan, and was funded by the British Council Afghanistan and Aga Khan Foundation United Kingdom.

Photo &report credit: UCA